Automatic electric toaster



y 1951 V B. G. OLVING 2,560,388

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC TOASI'ER 'Filied Jan. 6, 1945 :s Sheets-Sheet 1 July 10, 1951 a. s. OLVING AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC TOASTER Filed Jan. 6, 1945 3 sheets-sheet 2 July 10, 1951 B. G. OLVING 2,560,388

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC TOASTER Filed Jan. 6, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

Patented July 10, 1951 AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC TOASTER Bror G. Olvlng, Elgin, Ill., assignor to McGraw Electric Company, Elgln, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application January 6, 1945, Serial No. 571,629

4 Claims. 1

My invention relates to automatic electric toasters and particularly to means for timing the duration of a toasting operation.

An object of my invention is to provide a timing means and an electric circuit therefor, which are dependable and will stand up for long periods of service.

Another object of my invention is to provide a timing means, the performance of which depends on the inherent electrical characteristics of its component parts, and the operation of which is not dependent on or controlled by energy supplied from mechanical or thermal storage devices.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electric timing means and an electric circuit therefor, including an electron tube to obtain the above-mentioned performance.

Another object of my invention is to provide a timing circuit, including an electron tube and means for varying the duration of a toasting operation to compensate for temperature changes of the toaster structure, different circuit voltages, and to permit of obtaining different degrees of toasting desired by the user.

Other objects of my invention will either be apparent from a description of several different circuits embodying my invention or will be pointed out in the course of such description and set forth more particularly in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view, in side elevation, of a toaster having operatively associated therewith a system embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a front view of the toaster, Figs. 1 and 2 being on a reduced scale,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view through a toaster, having associated therewith a circuit embodying my invention,

Fig. 4 is a vertical, lateral, sectional view therethrough taken on the line 4-5 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of a timing element,

Fig. 7 is an end view of the parts shown in Ha Fig. 8 is a diagram of an electric circuit comprising my invention, and,

Fig. 9 is a different diagram of connections embodying my invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, I have there shown a standard two-slice automatic electric toaster designated generally by the numeral II, and comprising a bottom frame member 23, which may be made of pressed composite material and which supports at its upper end a bottom plate 25 and an outer casing 21 thereon. The casing is provided with an interfltting cover member 29, and I have elected to show a two-slice toaster such as is now on the market.

I provide two pairs of vertical, planar heating elements, designated generally by the numeral 3|, each of said heating elements comprising one or more sheets 33 of thin electric-insulating material, such as mica, on which is wound a strip 35 of a suitable resistance material. Each pair 3| of the planar heating elements is positioned in a toasting chamber, of which one of said heating elements constitutes one side, while a baffle plate 31 constitutes the outer side thereof. An intermediate rear wall 39 and a front intermediate wall 4| are also provided, and these walls and baflle plates are supported and held in proper operative positions by means now well known in the art. I provide also a plurality of vertically-extending guard and guide wires 43, which are also supported in any manner now well known in the art and serve to prevent lateral movement of a slice of bread being toasted in a toasting chamber and engagement thereof with the resistor 35.

I provide a pair of bread carriers 45, one in each of the toasting chambers, the rear end portions of which extend through vertical slots in the rear intermediate wall 39. The front end portions of carriers 45 are secured to a rear carriage plate 41, which is of substantially rectangular shape. I provide further a front carriage plate 49, which may be of substantially the same size as is the rear carriage plate, and position therebetween four grooved rollers 5| on short shafts, one at each of the four corners of the front end of the rear carriage plate. The grooved rollers 5| are adapted to engage against the inner surfaces of two vertical standards or rods 53 and 55, the lower ends of which are secured in the bottom plate 25, while the upper A tension coil spring 6| has its so that pressure upon actuating knob 69 will cause downward movement of the carriage plates 41 and 49 and of the grooved rollers 5|, as well as of the bread carriers 45.

Means for holding the carriers in their lowermost toasting positions includes a hook 13 mounted on the lower end of a resilient bar 15, which is secured to the front carriage plate 49 at, say, the right-hand portion thereof adjacent the upper end. The resilient bar 15 normally engages a lug 11 constituting a part of the front carriage plate 49 adjacent the lower right-hand end portion thereof. When the bread carriers are moved downwardly, lug 13 is adapted to engage with the hook end 19 of a latch comprising a bell crank lever 8| pivotally mounted on a pin or stub shaft '83.

Energization of the toast heating elements 3| is controlled by a contact bridging member 05 insulatedly supported on front carriage plate 49. A pair of fixed contacts 81 and 89 are supported on a block 9| of electric-insulating material which is supported by a bracket 93 secured to the front intermediate wall 4| adjacent the lower end portion thereof. When the carriers are moved into their lowermost toasting positions, contact bridging member 85 will engage the two fixed contacts 81 and 39 to cause energization of the four electric toast heating elements.

I provide also a second pair of contact members 95 and 91, which are supported on a block 99 of an electric-insulating material which is supported by a bracket I| secured to the front intermediate wall 4| adjacent to the upper end portion thereof and in position to be engaged by the contact bridging member 85 when the bread carriers are in their upper or non-toasting position. The purpose of these two additional contacts 95 and 91 will hereinafter appear.

While I have illustrated and described in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive specific embodiments of a standard domestic type of automatic electric toaster, I do not desire to be limited thereto, since all of these elements are old and well known in the art and constitute no part of my present invention, which will now be described.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, I have there illustrated the essential elements of a timer, which includes particularly an electron tube I03 which is adapted to be mounted on a suitable support comprising a sheet metal bracket I05 which is adapted to be secured against the bottom surface of plate 25. Other details comprised in the timer structure and circuit will be set forth and described by reference to Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring first of all to Fig. 8 of the drawings. the electron tube I03 is shown as a standard gridcontrolled rectifier tube having four electrodes, a hot filament I01, a plate anode I09, a control grid II I, a screen grid H3, and an indirectly heated cathode I I5. The particular electron tube employed in the circuit of Fig. 8 is of the positive grid-voltage type. The filament I01 is energized by a small resistor II1 connected in series electrio circuit with the four toast heating elements 3|, two 01' which are connected in'series electric circuit with each other, and the pairs of series connected elements are connected in parallel with each other. A pair of supply circuit conductors H9 and |2I are provided and are to be energized by an alternating current source of supply, and the small filament energizing resistor H1 is connected between the toast heating elements 3| and the supply circuit conductor H9. The two ends of the filament I01 are connected by conductors I23 and I25 to the terminals of the small resistor II1, which is so selected as to provide a proper voltage to energize the filament I01.

A half-wave dry-type rectifier I21 is provided, and it may be of the copper-oxide type, although any of the similarly operative types of rectifier may be used. One terminal of rectifier I21 is connected to a conductor I29 which connects one terminal of one of the heaters 3| to contact 91 to impress substantially full A. C. line voltage on the rectifier I21 when said toaster heating elements are energized. The other terminal 01. rectifier I21 is connected by a. conductor I3I to one terminal of a voltage divider I33, the other terminal of which is connected to a conductor I35 which is connected through conductor I23 to one supply circuit conductor H9. The other terminal of conductor I35 is connected to the screen grid II3. For illustrative purposes, it may be mentionedthat the ohmic resistance of the voltage divider may be on the order of 3000 ohms.

-A filter or ballast condenser I31 is also provided,

one terminal of which is connected to conductor I35, while the other terminal thereof is connected to a, tap I39 on the voltage divider I33 adjacent to the upper end thereof.

I provide also a timing condenser I, having a capacitance on the order of 10 microfarads, one terminal of which is connected to a conductor I43 which has one end thereof connected to the cathode II 5, while the other end of conductor I43 is connected to a tap I45 on the voltage divider I33 near the lower end thereof. The other terminal of condenser MI is connected to the control grid I I I through a resistor I41, the resistance of which may be on the order of 50,000 ohms. The other end of conductor I49 is connected to fixed contact 91 hereinbefore mentioned. Fixed contact 09 is connected by conductor I5I to the supply circuit conductor I2 I.

Fixed contact is connected by a conductor I53 to conductor I29. Fixed contact 91 is connected by a conductor I55 to the fixed end of a manually-adjustable contact arm I51 which is adapted to engage fixed tap contacts I59, I6 I, and I63 of a timing resistor I65 which is positioned to be subject to heat from the toast heating elements 3| or is positioned in the toasting chamber proper. The resistance of resistor I65 is on the order of 10 megohms and has a negative temperature coeflicient of resistance, that is, the resistance decreases with increase of temperature thereof.

The other terminal of resistor I65 is connected by a conductor I 61 toa tap I69 on voltage divider I33. The other terminal 81 of the main switch is connected to the conductor I29 by a conductor I1I. An electromagnetic latch release means I13 is also provided and includes a coil I15, an electromagnetic armature I11, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to the outer end of a horizontally-extending arm of the latch 8|, so that upon energization of coil I15 by an electric current, armature I11 will be caused to move upwardly and to disengage hook end 10 from hood 13. One terminal of coil I15 is connected by a conductor III to conductor I3I, while the other terminal of coil I15 is connected by a conductor I83 to plate anode I08 or tube I03. As in the diagram of connections of Fig. 8, the coil I15 will be traversed by rectified half waves of direct current, I may provide also a condenser I85 connected in shunt circuit with coil I15.

As hereinbefore stated, the tube I03 is oi the positive grid-controlled type, that is, when the rated voltage is impressed between the anode I08 and the cathode I I and no potential is impressed between cathode I I5 and the control grid II I, the tube is normally non-conducting; but when a predetermined positive potential is applied between the cathode II5 and the grid I I I, the tube is fired, or said in other words, becomes conductive. The critical firing potential of the grid III of such a tube depends on the magnitude of the potential applied to the screen grid I I3; the more negative the screen grid bias voltage, the more positive must th control grid be before the tube fires or becomes conducting.

Let it now be assumed that the diagram of connections of a control circuit including an electron tube I03, such as shown in Fig. 8, is operatively associated with the toaster shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. After dropping one or two slices of bread through suitable openings in the cover of the toaster structure onto the bread carriers, the operator presses on knob 89 until the hook 13 engages the portion 19 of the electromagnetic latch hereinbefore described. This causes engagement of contact bridging member 85 with contacts 81 and 88, whereby energization of the toast heating elements 3I and of resistor H1 is effected. Energization of the voltage divider I33 is also effected, the voltage divider I33 being in series electric circuit with rectifier I21. One terminal of rectifier I21 is connected through conductor "I, through the closed main switch comprising contacts 81, 89 and contact bridging 85 and through conductor I5I to the second supply circuit conductor I2I, while the other terminal of rectifier I21 is connected to the first supply circuit conductor I I8 through conductor I3I, voltage divider I33 and through conductors I35 and I23. The potential across the voltage divider I33 is thus approximately equal to the peak voltage of the A. C. supply circuit. The filter or ballast condenser I31 serves the purpose of smoothing out the rectified voltage waves and of absorbing random surges of the voltage supply in order to improve the reliability and accuracy of the timing performance. The small portion of the voltage divider I33 not shunted by the filter condenser I31 serves the purpose of limiting the charging current through the condenser I31 at the instant of closure of the toaster main switch.

The rectifier I21 is connected in the circuit in such a manner that the upper end of voltage divider I33 is of positive polarity, while the lower end at lead I45 is of negative polarity. The total resistance of the voltage divider I33 is in the neighborhood of 3000 ohms. The cathode I I5 is connected to tap I45 of the voltage divider I33, while the screen grid I I3 is connected to the lower end of the voltage divider by means of conductor I35. The screen grid is thus biased negatively relative to the cathode II5 by a voltage equal to the voltage drop between tap I45 and the lower end of the voltage divider I33. The resistance of this portion of the voltage divider is approximately 100 ohms to provide a negative grid bias in the neighborhood of 6 volts D. C. The full potential across the voltage divider I33 less the small voltage drop in the portion of the voltage divider below tap I45 is impressed between the anode I09 and the cathode II5 of the tube I03, the anode I09 being connected to the positive upper end of the voltage divider I33 through conductor I83 through the coil I15 and through leads 'I8I and I3I, while the cathode is connected to the negative tap I45 of voltage divider I33 through conductor I43. The charging potential for the timing condenser I4I is obtained between the taps I45 and I89 or the voltage divider, the polarity of the potential at tap I69 being positive relative to that at tap I45 and the resistance of the voltage divider between the two taps I45 and I69 being on the order or 300 ohms to provide a charging voltage on the order of 15 volts D. C; At the instant the voltage divider I33 is being energized the charging of the timing condenser MI is initiated, and a small charging current begins to fiow through conductor I61 to the timing resistor I65 and from the particular tap connected to the contact arm I51 through conductors I55 and I49 to one terminal of the timing condenser HI and from the opposite terminal of the condenser I H through a conductor to tap I45 on the voltage divider I33. The analysis of charging a condenser through a resistor is well known and need not be set forth in detail here. By a suitable selection of the energizing potential applied to the timing circuit and the ohmic resistance of the timing resistor I65, as well as the capacitance of the timing condenser I, the length of time required to charge condenser I4I to a predetermined potential can very easily be calculated and for a toaster this length of time should be on the order of 2 to 3 minutes when starting with a cold toaster.

When the potential at the terminals of timing condenser I4I has reached a value sufiicientl'y high to cause firing of the tube I03, the tube will fire, that is, become conducting and a current will fiow there through, the circuit of which is traceable substantially as follows: from supply circuit -I2I through conductor I5I through closed main switch comprising contacts 89, 81 and bridging member 85, through conductor I1I, through rectifier I21, through conductors I3I and I8I, through coil I13, and through conductor I83 to plate I09, then through tube I03 to cathode H5, and through lead I43, through the lower portion of voltage divider I33, and then through conductors I35 and I 23 to the fixed supply circuit conductor II9. It is therefore evident that coil I15 is traversed by rectified half waves of direct current voltage, and it is also evident that the condenser I85 is required to maintain a magnetic pull during the half cycles when the rectifier is non-conducting. This current traversing the tube I 03 and coil I15 causes upward movement of armature I11 and release by latch member 18 of hook member 13, permitting spring GI to cause quick upward movement of thebread carriers into non-toasting position and attendant opening of, the main switch controlling the energization of heaters 3I. The use of resistor I41, which has an ohmic resistance on the order of 50,000 ohms, serves the purpose of limiting the discharge current from the timing condenser I4I through tube I 03.

At the termination of each cycle of operation 01 the circuit shown in Fig. 8, it is advisable to restore the electrical timing circuit to its initial hon-charged conditions and the two upper fixed contact members 95 and 91 in combination with contact bridging member 85 and the toast heating elements 3I, serve for this purpose. When contact bridging member 85 is moved into its upper position and into engagement with contacts 95 and 91, a discharge circuit for the timing condenser MI is provided traceable as follows: from the lower terminal of condenser I4I to the tap I45, and then through the lower part of the voltage divider I33, through conductors I35 and I23, through resistor H1 and heating elements 3|, through conductors I29 and I53, through contacts 95 and 91, and the engaged contact bridging member 85, and through conductor I49 to the other terminal of timing condenser I4I. This provides means for fully discharging the timing condenser I4I so that upon starting a quickly succeeding toasting operation, there will be no charge remaining in condenser I.

Let it now be assumed that adjustable contact arm I51 of the timing resistor I65 was set so as to engage the contact connected with tap I6I and that, starting with a cold toaster, the adjustment of the various component parts of the circuit was such that medium toast was obtained. It has already been hereinbefore set forth that the resistor I65 has a negative temperature coeflicient of resistance, that is, its resistance will decrease with increase of temperature. This decrease of resistance of that part of the timing resistor I85 electrically connected in the circuit is such that upon start of a second quickly succeeding toasting operation the length 01 time required to charge the timing condenser I to the firing potential has been reduced to such a value that substantially the same degree of toasting will be obtained when a toaster has been heated to a somewhat higher temperature as was obtained with a cold toaster during the first operation. By proper coordination of the degree of temperature rise of the toaster and of the decrease of resistance of the timing resistor I65, it is possible to obtain substantially the same degree of toasting, irrespective of the temperature of the toaster structure.

Let it now be assumed that a second user would like to obtain say light toast instead of medium toast. It is only necessary to manually turn an adjustment knob I81 mounted at the front end of the toaster structure so as to move contact arm I51 into engagement with tap I59, thereby removing some of the resistance from the charging circuit. This will mean that the timing condenser I4I will be charged to a potential suflicient to fire the electron tube I03 in a shorter time than was necessary as compared to the time for the first operation when medium toast was called for. If, on the other hand, dark toast is desired, the contact arm I51 will be moved into engagement with the contact connected to tap I93, so that more ohmic resistance is introduced in series with the timing condenser I4 I, with the result that it will require a somewhat longer time to fully charge the condenser to the tube firing potential which will therefore cause dark toast to result instead of medium toast.

The circuit shown in Fig. 8 is effective also to compensate for higher supply circuit voltages or for lower supply circuit voltages since when the toast heating elements 3| are subjected to a much higher than normal voltage, they will operate at a higher temperature, which will causea greater decrease in the resistance of the timing on the order of 10 megohms.

resistor I68 than would be the case if subject only to normal voltage. The slice or slices of bread subject to the higher temperature radiating heat from the toast heating elements 3| will be subjected thereto for a shorter period of time. which period of time is sufficient to provide substantially the same degree of toasting.

Referring now to Fig. 9 of the drawings, I have there shown a difierent circuit which I may use. I provide an electron tube I9I which is of the cold cathode grid-controlled rectifier type or may be described as a positive grid biased type of tube having a cold cathode I93, a grid I95, a screen grid I91, and a plate anode I99.

I provide also a voltage doubler bridge 20I comprising two half-wave dry-type rectiflers I21, and two condensers 203 connected in a bridge circuit and adapted to be energized from the supply circuit conductor II9, through a conductor 20!, and from conductor I29, througha conductor 201 connected respectively to the two opposite terminals of the bridge. The other two terminals of the bridge are connected respectively by a conductor 299 to one terminal of a voltage divider 2, which may be a resistance on the order of 2000 ohms, while the other terminal of the bridge is connected by a conductor 2 I3 to the other terminal of the voltage divider 2 I I. The last mentioned terminal of the voltage divider is connected by conductor 2 I3 to one terminal of a timing resistor I85, which is provided with three taps I59, IOI, and I63. The timing resistor I65 is subject to either the toasting chamber temperature or to heat from the toast heating elements 3I and is also made of a material having a negative temperature coefficient oi resistance. An adjustable contact arm I51 is adapted to be moved selectively into engagement with the taps I59, "SI, and I63: and this contact arm is connected by a conductor 2I5 to fixed contact and is also connected by a conductor 2I1 to one terminal of a timing condenser I4I, the other terminal of which is connected to conductor 209, which connects the voltage doubler bridge to the cold cathode I93 and to one terminal of a small resistor 2I9 which is connected to screen grid I91. Conductor 2H and particularly the timing condenser. MI is connected to grid I95 through a resistor 22I, the ohmic value of the resistance of which is on the order of 5 megohms and,serves the purpose of limiting the condenser discharge current through the grid circuit of the tube. A conductor 223 has one end thereof connected to a tap 225 on voltage divider 2H and has its other and connected to a coil 221 which energizes an armature 229 of a small relay which comprises a contact bridge member 23I secured to armature 229 and is adapted to engage with and be disengaged from a pair of fixed contacts 233 and 235. The other terminal of relay coil 221 is connected to the anode I99 of tube I9I. Conductor 209 is connected to the screen grid I91 through a resistance 2I9, the ohmic value of which may be Conductor 299 is also connected by a conductor 231 to one terminal of a discharge resistor 239, the other terminal of which is connected to contact 91. The ohmic value of the resistance of resistor 239 may be on the order of 50 ohms. I

The contact bridging member 23I and the fixed contacts 233 and 235 control the circuit of a coil I15 of an electromagnetic latch release means comprising an armature core I11, as has already been hereinbefore set forth. One terminal of coil I1! is connected by a conductor 2 with fixed contact 235, while the other terminal of coil I" is connected to contact 81 by a conductor 243.

The operation of the circuit shown in Fig. 9 is substantially as follows: upon depression of knob 58 of the toaster preparatory to starting a toasting operation, the heating elements 3| are energized as is also the voltage doubler bridge 2!", which will then be connected to the supply circuit conductors H9 and HI and will provide a rectified direct current potential on the order of 300 volts between the conductors 205 and M3, of appropriate polarity, which is applied to the voltage divider 2 II so that the upper end of the voltage divider is positive. The voltage provi ded between the conductors 209 and M3 is applied to the timing. condenser I through the timing resistor I 65. The resistance of the timing resistor I55 connected in circuit with the timing condenser may be reduced through the taps, any one of which may be engaged by manually-adjustable contact arm I51. The timing condenser III will therefore be charged in substantially the same manner as is a direct current storage battery until the potential across the terminals thereof has been increased to a value which will fire tube I9I and cause the same to become conducting, the current traversing the tube and the coil 221 connected in series circuit therewith being provided by the voltage doubler bridge.

The energized relay comprising particularly coil 22'! will move the contact bridging member 23I upwardly to cause an energizing circuit through coil I15 traceable as follows: from supply circuit conductor I I9, through conductor 205, through engaged contacts 233 and 235 with bridging member 23I, through conductor 2, coil I15, through conductor 243, through contact bridging member 85, and through conductor ll to the other supply circuit conductor I2 I. A small condenser I85 having a capacitance on the order of .1 microiarad may be shunted across the coil I to reduce chatter.

The design and adjustment of the various parts comprising the voltage doubler bridge, the voltage divider, the timing resistor, as well as the timing condenser are so selected that when starting with a cold timing resistor I65, the time required to increase the voltage across the terminals of the timing condenser to a value which will fire tube I9I will be on the order of 2 or 3 minutes, which will permit of proper toasting of a slice of bread when done in a cold toaster. As has already been hereinbefore stated, the timing resistor I65 is either subject to heat from the toast heating elements 3| or is positioned in the toasting chamber, so that having a negative temperature coefiicient of resistance, its resistance will decrease with increase of temperature and upon quickly following toasting operations, the resistance of timing resistor I65 will be less, whereby the time required to cause charging of the timing condenser IM to a potential which will fire tube [BI is reduced so that substantially the same degree of toasting of the second and third slices of bread will be effected, the same comments holding for other successive slices of bread toasted in the toaster.

To predetermine the degree of toasting, such as dark, medium, or light toast, contact arm I51 may be moved into engagement with the contact connected to tap I63 to obtain dark toast, moved into engagement with tap IBI t obtain medium toast and moved into engagement with tap I59 to obtain light toast. The timing resistor I85 being subject to chamber temperature or to heat 10 from the toast heating elements and having negative temperature coefilcient of resistance therefore permits of obtaining similar degrees of toasting of successive slices of bread, irrespective of temperature changes in the toaster structure, while the taps thereon permit of obtaining the desired degree of toasting ranging from light into medium and to dark.

The two upper fixed contacts 95 and 91 cooperate with the contact bridging member 85 when the bread carriers have been moved to their upper non-toasting positions to cause discharge of the timing condenser I through a circuit traceable as follows: from the upper terminal of condenser I4l through conductors 2H and H5, to contact 95, through bridging member 85, to contact 81, and-from there through the discharge resistor 239, through conductor 231, and through conductor 209 to the other terminal of condenser I 4|.

As in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the condenser MI was discharged through the toast heating elements, the diagram shown in Fig. 9 causes discharge of the condenser Ill through a separate discharge resistor 239.

Substantially the same comments as hereinbefore made inconnection with the diagram of Fig. 8 apply also to the diagram of Fig. 9, and it is therefore considered unnecessary to repeat them for Fig. 9.

It is therefore evident that I provide a timing resistor which has a negative temperature co efiicient of resistance and is subject to either heat from the toast heating elements or is positioned in the toasting chamber to insure that substantially the same degree of toasting will be effected, irrespective of temperature changes of the toaster or variation of the supply circuit voltage, while the provision of taps therein permits of obtaining the desired degree of toasting, irrespective of variations in the temperature of the toaster structure.

Various modifications may be made in the device embodying my invention without departing heating means, a control switch for said heating.

means biased to open position and including a contact bridging member, means to move said bridging member into circuit closing position to start a toasting operation and a latch for holding said bridging member in circuit closing position, of means for terminating a toasting operation comprising a normally non-conducting electron tube, at least one rectifier, an electrostatic timing condenser connected to said tube, a timing resistor connected between said rectifier and said timing condenser for charging said condenser to a potential at which the tube becomes conducting, said timing resistor having a negative temperature coefiicient of resistance and being subject to toaster chamber temperatures to vary the duration of a toasting opera- 1 1 her for discharging said condenser upon termination of a toasting operation.

2. In an automatic electric toaster the combination with electric toast heating means, a control switch for said heating means biased to open position and including a contact bridging member, a bread carrier movable into toasting and non-toasting positions relatively to said heating means and biased to non-toasting position, means to move said carrier into toasting position and said switch into closed position and latch means for holding said switch in closed position and said carrier in toasting position, of means for terminating a toasting operation comprising a normally non-conducting electron tube, a timing condenser connected with said tube, a timing resistor, at least one rectifier connected to charge the condenser through the resistor to a potential at which said tube becomes conducting, said timing resistor having negative temperature coefficient of resistance and being sub- Ject to heat from the heating means to vary the duration of a toasting operation in accordance with toaster temperature, and being manually adjustable to preset the degree of toasting of a slice of bread during a toasting operation, means energized by the current traversing the tube for causing release of said latch and means including said contact bridging member for discharging said condenser upon termination of a toasting operation.

3. In an automatic electric toaster the combination with a toasting chamber, electric toast heating means, a control switch for said heating means biased to open position and including a contact bridging member means to move said bridging member into circuit closing position to start a toasting operation and a latch for holding said bridging member in circuit closing position, of means for terminating at toasting operation comprising a normally non-conducting electron tube, at least one rectifier, an electrostatic timing condenser connected to said tube, a timing resistor connected between said rectifier and said timing condenser for charging said condenser to a potential at which the tube becomes conducting, said timing resistor having a negative temperature coeflicient of resistance and being subject to toaster chamber temperature to vary the duration of a toasting operation in accordance with toaster temperature, and being manually adjustable to preset the degree of toasting of a slice of bread during a toasting operation, means energized by the current traversing 12 said tube for causing release of said latch and termination of a toasting operation and means controlled by said contact bridging member, and including the toast heating means for discharging said condenser upon termination of a toasting operation.

4. In an automatic electric toaster the combination with a toasting chamber, electric toast heating means, 'a control switch for said heating means biased to open position and including a contact bridging member, means to move said bridging member into circuit closing position to start a toasting operation and a latch for holding said bridging member in circuit closing position, of means for terminating a toasting operation comprising a normally non-conducting electron tube, at least one rectifier, an electrostatic timing condenser connected to said tube, a timing resistor connected between said rectifier and said timing condenser for charging said condenser to a potential at which the tube becomes conducting, said timing resistor having a negative temperature coeflicient of resistance and being subject to toaster chamber temperature to vary the duration of a toasting operation in accordance with toaster temperature, and being manually adjustable to preset the degree of toasting of a slice of bread during a toasting operation, means energized by the current traversing said tube for causing release of said latch and termination of a toasting operation and means controlled by said contact bridging member, and including a resistor for discharging said condenser upon termination of a toasting operation.

- BROR G. OLVING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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